Winners of the inaugural ukactive Awards were revealed at a gala dinner in Manchester last night (21 June), as part of the three-day Active Uprising event.

The finalists for this year's ukactive Awards have been revealed. The 2018 award categories have been divided into three groups – business excellence, specialist impact and individual achievement – and in total winners will be announced in 11 categories. Replacing the Flame Awards, this year's edition will feature an expanded Leisure Centre Operator of the Year award, which covers any club or centre – from independents, studios and boutiques to budget gyms, local authority centres and clubs that are part of a nationwide chain.

ukactive CEO Steve Ward discusses the new Active Uprising event, which is set to launch this year in Manchester

A new four-day “celebration of physical activity” – combining a conference, awards night and a two-day programme of events, designed to get communities active – is to replace the Flame Conference and Awards this year.

ukactive’s CEO Steve Ward says the charity is focused on turning “promises into action”

It’s time to embrace data, says Steve Ward

In recognition Alliance Leisure's contribution to getting people active, the private leisure development company was presented with the Supplier of the Year’s Outstanding Achievement award.

The health and fitness industry’s finest came together in their hundreds last night (28 June) to recognise the achievements of their peers, as the 2017 Flame Awards were handed out in Telford.

ukactive’s chief executive Steven Ward has urged fitness industry leaders to unite and harness their collective potential to ensure the sector continues to thrive and creates a “healthier, wealthier, happier future for all.”

UK Health and fitness education provider Premier Global has partnered up with global fitness educator the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) to transform the education and training available to the UK's fitness professionals into the best in the world.

Six-time Olympic Gold medallist Jason Kenny will be the headline speaker at this year's Flame Conference, which will focus on disruption and innovation in the physical activity sector.

Both ends of the private gym market will be represented when budget brand Xercise4Less takes on country club fitness provider The Club Company to win ukactive’s Flame award for Health Club Operator of the Year.

Organisations, groups and individuals who contribute to increasing the levels of physical activity across the UK are being urged to take part in a ukactive survey to find out ‘what works’ in getting people more active.

The economic fallout from Britain’s historic vote to leave the European Union isn’t causing any sleepless nights for The Gym Group, according to the company’s CEO.

The Royal College of GPs (RCGP) has announced physical activity and lifestyle as one of its clinical priorities for the next three years, becoming the latest influential body to elevate the importance of tackling sedentary behaviour.

Flame Conference 2016 gets underway at the International Centre in Telford this morning (29 June), with around 1,000 physical activity sector leaders gathering for a packed schedule of speakers and panel discussions hosted by ukactive.

The cream of the health and fitness industry gathered in Telford last night (29 June), as 16 awards and three special accolades were handed out at the highly-anticipated Flame Awards 2016.

Ever-closer collaboration between leading physical activity organisations such as ukactive and Sport England will be key to driving the sector further up the political agenda.

Finalists announced for Flame Awards 2016

Pure World Energy has secured the services of leisure industry veteran Steve Bambury, who has joined the energy management specialist as director of operations.

The former All Blacks captain turned motivational speaker discusses leadership, and his forthcoming FLAME keynote on how ‘winning is fun’

New Zealand rugby star and motivational leadership expert Sean Fitzpatrick has been announced as the keynote speaker for ukactive’s 2016 Flame Conference.

Chrissie Wellington, the head of participation at parkrun and four-time Ironman World Champion, has been named an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the New Year Honours list.

Country club and golf operator The Club Company has snapped up Wharton Park Golf and Country Club in Worcestershire, with plans to add a sizeable health and fitness facility as part of the undisclosed investment.

The successful IPO of The Gym Group this month is likely to prove the catalyst for renewed investor interest in the private gym sector, with the prospect of further listings.

Executive director of ukactive, Steven Ward, presents a sneak preview of the Flame survey findings, which will form part of the inaugural Consumer Insight report due this September

The health and environmental benefits of the National Cycle Network have saved the UK economy almost £1m a day since it was established 20 years ago, according to new research.

Respected government health advisor Dame Carol Black has been announced as the latest member of ukactive’s new-look board.

ukactive’s annual Flame Conference kicks off at the International Centre in Telford this morning (24 June) featuring a packed schedule of speakers and panel discussions. It will be followed this evening by the much-anticipated Flame Awards.

The physical activity sector’s brightest and best were honoured this evening (24 June) as 14 awards were presented at the highly-anticipated Flame Awards 2015.